Investigation of structural behavior of reinforced concrete columns subjected to corrosion under the effect of monotonic loading

The negative effects caused by the corrosion of the reinforcement show how important it is to investigate corrosion in RC structures. With the corrosion, the RC structural elements move away from the performance levels predicted during the design stage. Corrosion level increases to high levels in the structure, shortening the service life of the structure and causing great economic losses. Although there is not only a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the reinforcing structural element, with the accumulation of the rust product, it creates radial pressures around the reinforcement and fractures the concrete and the adherence strength between the RC decreases. This thesis was carried out by using Five RC columns with C30 concrete compressive strength produced within the scope of TUBITAK 3501 (116M162) project. RC columns were corroded in full-scale copper clad rusting pool using accelerated corrosion method at 0.00%, 1.99%, 2.79%, 5.65% and 8.52%. All RC columns were subjected to the same loading and measurement level and their experiments were carried out by applying 20% axial load and lateral load. In order to determine the actual corrosion rates of the RC columns, the RC columns were broken after the loading tests and the mechanical and then chemical cleaning processes were applied to the removed reinforcements. The actual mass losses were calculated by using the first masses recorded before the final rusting process by weighing all rebars on the balance with a sensitivity of 0.05 gr. Two empirical models have been developed by correlating the ductility ratios, energy absorption capacities and final load values of the RC columns with the corrosion rates. With the help of the developed empirical model, it will be possible to calculate ductility ratios and energy absorption capacities of corroded RC columns.